THE SEVENTH COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE UNDER CYPRIAN

CONCERNING THE BAPTISM OF HERETICS

THE JUDGMENT OF EIGHTY-SEVEN BISHOPS ON THE BAPTISM OF HERETICS.

PROOEMIUM.--WHEN STEPHEN, BISHOP OF ROME, HAD BY HIS LETTERS CONDEMNED
THE DECREES OF THE AFRICAN COUNCIL ON THE BAPTISM OF HERETICS, CYPRIAN
LOST NO TIME IN HOLDING ANOTHER COUNCIL AT CARTHAGE WITH A GREATER NUMBER
OF BISHOPS. HAVING THEREFORE SUMMONED EIGHTY-SEVEN BISHOPS FROM AFRICA,
NUMIDIA, AND MAURITANIA, WHO ASSEMBLED AT CARTHAGE IN THE KALENDS OF SEPTEMBER,
A.D. 258, THIS THIRD COUNCIL ON THE SAME MATTER OF BAPTISM WAS THEN CELEBRATED;
AT THE BEGINNING OF WHICH, AFTER, THE LETTERS ON EITHER SIDE HAD BEEN READ,
CYPRIAN, BY IMPLICATION, CONDEMNS THE ASSUMPTION OF STEPHEN.[2]

WHEN, in the kalends of September, a great many bishops from the provinces
of Africa, Numidia, and Mauritania, had met together at Carthage, together
with the presbyters and deacons, and a considerable part of the congregation
who were also present; and when the letter of Jubaianus written to Cyprian
had been read, as also the reply of Cyprian to Jubaianus, about baptizing
heretics, and what the same Jubaianus had subsequently rejoined to Cyprian,--Cyprian
said: You have heard, my dearly beloved colleagues, what Jubaianus our
co-bishop has written to me, taking counsel of my poor intelligence concerning
the unlawful and profane baptism of heretics, as well as what I wrote in
answer to him, decreeing, to wit, what we have once and again and frequently
determined, that heretics who come to the Church must be baptized and sanctified
by the baptism of the Church. Moreover, another letter of Jubaianus has
also been read to you, wherein, replying, in accordance with his sincere
and religious devotion, to my letter, he not only acquiesced in what I
had said, but, confessing that he had been instructed thereby, he returned
thanks for it. It remains, that upon this same matter each of us should
bring forward what we think, judging no man, nor rejecting any one from
the right of communion, if he should think differently from us. For neither
does any of us set himself up as a bishop of bishops,[3] nor by tyrannical
terror does any compel his colleague to the necessity of obedience; since
every bishop, according to the allowance of his liberty and power, has
his own proper right of judgment, and can no more be judged by another
than he himself can judge another.[4] But let us all wait for the judgment
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only one that has the power both of
preferring us in the government of His Church, and of judging us in our
conduct there.

Caecilius
of Bilta[5] said: I know only one baptism in the Church, and none out
of the Church.
This
one will be here, where there is the true
hope and the certain faith. For thus it is written: "One faith, one
hope, one baptism;"[6] not among heretics, where there is no hope,
and the faith is false, where all things are carried on by lying; where
a demoniac exorcises; where one[7] whose mouth and words send forth a cancer
puts the sacramental interrogation;[8] the faithless gives faith; the wicked
bestows pardon of sins; and Antichrist baptizes in the name of Christ;
he who is cursed of God blesses; he who is dead promises life; he who is
unpeaceful gives peace; the blasphemer calls upon God; the profane person
administers the office of the priesthood; the sacrilegious person establishes
an altar. In addition to all these things, there is also this evil, that
the priests of the devil dare to celebrate the Eucharist; or else let those
who stand by them say that all these things concerning heretics are false.
Behold to what kind of things the Church is compelled[1] to consent, and
is constrained without baptism, without pardon of sins, to hold communion.
And this thing, brethren, we ought to flee from and avoid, and to separate
ourselves from so great a wickedness, and to hold one baptism, which is
granted by the Lord to the Church alone.

Primus of Misgirpa[2] said: I decide, that every man who comes to us from
heresy must be baptized. For in vain does he think that he has been baptized
there, seeing that there is no baptism save the one and true baptism in
the Church; because not only is God one, but the faith is one, and the
Church is one, wherein stands the one baptism, and holiness, and the rest.
For whatever is done without, has no effect of salvation.

Polycarp from Adrumetum[3] said: They who approve the baptism of heretics
make void our baptism.

Novatus of Thamugada[4] said: Although we know that all the Scriptures
give witness concerning the saving baptism, still we ought to declare our
faith, that heretics and schismatics who come to the Church, and appear
to have been falsely baptized, ought to be baptized in the everlasting
fountain; and therefore, according to the testimony of the Scriptures,
and according to the decree of our colleagues, men of most holy memory,
that all schismatics and heretics who are converted to the Church must
be baptized; and moreover, that those who appeared to have been ordained
must be received among lay people.

Nemesianus
of Thubunae[5] said: That the baptism which heretics and schismatics
bestow is not the
true
one, is everywhere declared in the Holy Scriptures,
since their very leading men are false Christs and false prophets, as the
Lord says by Solomon: "He who trusteth in that which is false, he
feedeth the winds; and the very same, moreover, followeth the flight of
birds. For he forsaketh the ways of his own vineyard, he has wandered from
the paths of his own little field. But he walketh through pathless places,
and dry, and a land destined for thirst; moreover, he gathereth together
fruitless things in his hands."[6] And again: "Abstain from strange
water, and from the fountain of another do not drink, that you may live
a long time; also that the years of life may be added to thee."[7]
And in the Gospel our Lord Jesus Christ spoke with His divine voice, saying, "Except
a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom
of God."[8] This is the Spirit which from the beginning was borne
over the waters; for neither can the Spirit operate without the water,
nor the water without the Spirit. Certain people therefore interpret for
themselves ill, when they say that by imposition of the hand they receive
the Holy Ghost, and are thus received, when it is manifest that they ought
to be born again in the Catholic Church by both sacraments. Then indeed
they will be able to be sons of God, as says the apostle: "Taking
care to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one
body, and one Spirit, as ye have been called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God."[9] All these things speaks
the Catholic Church.[10] And again, in the Gospel the Lord says: "That
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit
is spirit; because God is a Spirit, and he is born of God."[11] Therefore,
whatsoever things all heretics and schismatics do are carnal, as the apostle
says: "For the works of the flesh are manifest, which are, fornications,
uncleannesses, incest, idolatries, witchcrafts, hatreds, contentions, jealousy,
anger, divisions, heresies, and the like to these; concerning which have
told you before, as I also foretell you now, that whoever do such things
shall not inherit the kingdom of God."[12] And thus the apostle condemns,
with all the wicked, those also who cause division, that is, schismatics
and heretics. Unless therefore they receive saving baptism in the Catholic
Church, which is one, they cannot be saved, but will be condemned with
the carnal in the judgment of the Lord Christ.

Januarius of Lambesis[13] said: According to the authority[14] of the
Holy Scriptures, I decree that all heretics must be baptized, and so admitted
into the holy Church.

Lucius
of Castra Galbae[15] said: Since the Lord in His Gospel said, "Ye
are the salt of the earth: but if the salt should have lost its savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to
be cast out of doors, and to be trodden under foot of men."[1] And
again, after His resurrection, sending His apostles, He gave them charge,
saying, "All power is given unto me, in heaven and in earth. Go and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost."[2] Since, therefore, it is manifest that
heretics--that is, the enemies of Christ--have not the sound confession
of the sacrament; moreover, that schismatics cannot season others with
spiritual wisdom, since they themselves, by departing from the Church,
which is one, having lost the savour, have become contrary to it,--let
it be done as it is written, "The house of those that are contrary
to the law owes a cleansing."[3] And it is a consequence that those
who, having been baptized by people who are contrary to the Church, are
polluted, must first be cleansed, and then at length be baptized.

Crescens of Cirta[4] said: In such an assembly of most holy fellow-priests,
as the letters of our most beloved Cyprian to Jubaianus and also to Stephen
have been read, containing in them so much of the holy testimonies which
descend from the divinely made Scriptures, that with reason we ought, all
being made one by the grace of God, to consent to them; I judge that all
heretics and schismatics who wish to come to the Catholic Church, shall
not be allowed to enter without they have first been exorcised and baptized;
with the exception of those indeed who may previously have been baptized
in the Catholic Church, and these in such a way that they may be reconciled
to the penitence of the Church by the imposition of hands.

Nicomedes of Segermae[5] said: My opinion is this, that heretics coming
to the Church should be baptized, for the reason that among sinners without
they can obtain no remission of sins.

Munnulus[6]
of Girba[7] said: The truth of our Mother6[8] the Catholic Church, brethren,
hath
always
remained and still remains with us, and even
especially in the Trinity of baptism, as our Lord says, "Go ye and
baptize the nations, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit."[9] Since, then, we manifestly know that heretics have
not either Father, or Son, or Holy Spirit, they ought, when they come to
the Church our Mother, truly to be born again and to be baptized; that
the cancer which they had, and the anger of damnation, and the witchery
of error, may be sanctified by the holy and heavenly layer.

Secundinus
of Cedias[10] said: Since our Lord Christ says, "He who
is not with me is against me;"[11] and John the apostle calls those
who depart from the Church Antichrists--undoubtedly enemies of Christ--any
such as are called Antichrists cannot minister the grace of saving baptism.
And therefore I think that those who flee from the snares of the heretics
to the Church must be baptized by us, who are called friends of God, of
His condescension.

Felix of Bagai[12] said: As, when the blind leads the blind, they fall
together into the ditch; so, when the heretic baptizes a heretic, they
fall together into death. And therefore a heretic must be baptized and
made alive, lest we who are alive should hold communion with the dead.

Polianus of Mileum[13] said: It is right that a heretic be baptized in
the holy Church.

Theogenes of Hippo Regius[14] said: According to the sacrament of God's
heavenly grace which we have received, we believe one baptism which is
in the holy Church.

Dativus of Badis[15] said: We, as far as in us lies, do not hold communion
with heretics, unless they have been baptized in the Church, and have received
remission of their sins.

Successus of Abbir Germaniciana[16] said: Heretics can either do nothing,
or they can do all. If they can baptize, they can also bestow the Holy
Spirit. But if they cannot give the Holy Spirit, because they have not
the Holy Spirit, neither can they spiritually baptize. Therefore we judge
that heretics must be baptized.

Fortunatus of Tuccaboris[17] said: Jesus Christ our Lord and God, Son
of God the Father and Creator, built His Church upon a rock,[18] not upon
heresy; and gave the power of baptizing to bishops, not to heretics. Wherefore
they who are without the Church, and, standing in opposition to Christ,
disperse His sheep and flock, cannot baptize, being without.

Sedatus of Tuburbo[19] said: In the degree in which water sanctified in
the Church by the prayer of the priest, washes away sins; in that degree,
if infected with heretical discourse as with a cancer, it heaps up sins.
Wherefore we must endeavour with all peaceful powers, that no one infected
and stained with heretical error refuse to receive the single and true
baptism of the Church, by which whosoever is not baptized, shall become
an alien from the kingdom of

heaven.

Privatianus of Sufetula[1] said: Let him who says that heretics have the
power of baptizing, say first who rounded heresy. For if heresy is of God,
it also may have the divine indulgence. But if it is not from God, how
can it either have the grace of God, or confer it upon any one?

Privatus of Sufes[2] said: He who approves the baptism of heretics, what
else does he do than communicate with heretics?

Hortensianus of Lares[3] said: Let either these presumptuous ones,[4]
or those who favour heretics, consider how many baptisms there are. We
claim for the Church one baptism, which we know not except in the Church.
Or how can they baptize any one in the name of Christ, whom Christ Himself
declares to be His adversaries?

Cassius of Macomadae[5] said: Since there cannot be two baptisms, he who
yields baptism to the heretics takes it away from himself. I judge therefore
that heretics, lamentable and corrupt, must be baptized when they begin
to come to the Church; and that when washed by the sacred and divine washing,
and illuminated by the light of life, they may be received into the Church,
not as enemies, but as made peaceful; not as foreigners, but as of the
household of the faith of the Lord; not as children of adultery, but as
sons of God; not of error, but of salvation; except those who once faithful
have been supplanted, and have passed over from the Church to the darkness
of heresy, but that these must be restored by the imposition of hands.

Another Januarius of Vicus Caesaris[6] said: If error does not obey truth,
much more truth does not consent to error; and therefore we stand by the
Church in which we preside, that, claiming her baptism for herself alone,
we should baptize those whom the Church has not baptized.

Another
Secundinus of Carpi[7] said: Are heretics Christians or not? If they
are Christians,
why are
they not in the Church of God? If they are
not Christians, how come they to make Christians? Or whither will tend
the Lord's discourse, when He says, "He that is not with me is against
me, and he who gathereth not with me scattereth?"[8] Whence it appears
plain that upon strange children, and on the offspring of Antichrist, the
Holy Ghost cannot descend only by imposition of hands, since it is manifest
that heretics have not baptism.

Victoricus of Thabraca[9] said: If heretics are allowed to baptize and
to give remission of sins, wherefore do we brand them with infamy and call
them heretics?

Another Felix of Uthina[10] said: Nobody doubts, most holy fellow-priests,
that human presumption is not able to do so much as the adorable and venerable
majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, remembering the danger, we
ought not only to observe this also, but moreover to confirm it by the
voice of all of us, that all heretics who come to the bosom of Mother Church
should be baptized, that thus the heretical mind that has been polluted
by a long decay, purged by the sanctification of the layer, may be reformed
for the better.

Quietus
of Baruch[11] said: We who live by faith ought to obey with careful observance
those
things
which before have been foretold for our instruction.
For it is written in Solomon: "He that is baptized from the dead,
(and again toucheth the dead,[12]) what availeth his washing?"[13]
which certainly speaks of those who are washed by heretics, and of those
that wash them. For if those who are baptized among them obtain by remission
of their sins life eternal, why do they come to the Church? But if from
a dead person no salvation is received, and therefore, acknowledging their
previous error, they return to the truth with penitence, they ought to
be sanctified with the one vital baptism which is in the Catholic Church.

Castus of Sicca[14] said: He who with contempt of the truth presumes to
follow custom, is either envious and malignant in respect of his brethren
to whom the truth is revealed, or is ungrateful in respect of God, by whose
inspiration His Church is instructed.

Euchratius
of Thence[15] said: God and our Lord Jesus Christ, teaching the apostles
with His own
mouth,
has entirely completed our faith, and
the grace of baptism, and the rule of the ecclesiastical law, saying: "Go
ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."[16] Thus the false and wicked
baptism of heretics must be rejected by us, and refuted with all detestation,
from whose month is expressed poison, not life, not celestial grace, but
blasphemy of the Trinity.[17] And therefore it is manifest that heretics
who come to the Church ought to be baptized with the sound and Catholic
baptism, in order that, being purified from the blasphemy of their presumption,
they may be reformed by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Libosus
of Vaga[1] said: In the Gospel the Lord says, "I am the truth."[2]
He said not," I am the custom." Therefore the truth being manifest,
let custom yield to truth; so that, although for the past any one was not
in the habit of baptizing heretics in the Church, let him now begin to
baptize them.[3]

Lucius of Thebeste[1] said: I determine that blasphemous and unrighteous
heretics, who with various words tear asunder the holy and adorable words
of the Scriptures, are to be accursed, and therefore that they must be
exorcised and baptized.

Eugenius of Ammedera[1] said: And I determine the same--that heretics
must be baptized.

Also another Felix of Amaccora[4] said: And I myself, following the authority
of the divine Scriptures,[5] judge that heretics must be baptized; and,
moreover, those also who contend that they have been baptized among the
schismatics. For if, according to Christ's warning, our font is private
to us, let all the adversaries of our Church understand that it cannot
be for another. Nor can He who is the Shepherd of the one flock give the
saving water to two peoples. And therefore it is plain that neither heretics
nor schismatics can receive anything heavenly, seeing that they dare to
receive from men who are sinners, and from those who are external to the
Church. When there is no place for the giver, assuredly there is no profit
for the receiver.

Also another Januarius of Muzzuli[6] said: I am surprised, since all confess
that there is one baptism, that all do not perceive the unity of the same
baptism. For the Church and heresy are two things, and different things.
If heretics have baptism, we have it not; but if we have it, heretics cannot
have it. But there is no doubt that the Church alone possesses the baptism
of Christ, since she alone possesses both the grace and the truth of Christ.

Adelphius of Thasvalte[7] said: Certain persons without reason impugn
the truth by false and envious words, in saying that we rebaptize, when
the Church does not rebaptize heretics, but baptizes them. Demetrius of
Leptiminus[8] said: We maintain one baptism, because we demand for the
Church Catholic alone her own property. But they who say that heretics
truly and legitimately baptize, are themselves the people who make not
one, but many baptisms. For since heresies are many, according to their
number will be reckoned baptisms.

Vincentius
of Thibaris[9] said: We know that heretics are worse than Gentiles. If,
therefore, being
converted,
they should wish to come to the Lord, we
have assuredly the rule of truth which the Lord by His divine precept commanded
to His apostles, saying, "Go ye, lay on hands in my name, expel demons."[10]
And in another place: "Go ye and teach the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."[11]
Therefore first of all by imposition of hands in exorcism, secondly by
the regeneration of baptism, they may then come to the promise of Christ.
Otherwise I think it ought not to be done.

Marcus of Mactaris[12] said: It is not to be wondered at if heretics,
enemies, and impugners of the truth claim to themselves a matter in the
power and condescension of others. But it is to be wondered at, that some
of us, prevaricators of the truth, support heretics and oppose themselves
to Christians. Therefore we decree that heretics must be baptized.

Sattius of Sicilibba[13] said: If to heretics in baptism their sins are
remitted, they come to the Church without reason. For since, in the day
of judgment, they are sins which are punished, there is nothing which the
heretics can fear from Christ's judgment, if they have already obtained
remission of their sins.

Victor of Gor[14] said: Since sins are not remitted[15] save in the baptism
of the Church, he who admits a heretic to communion without baptism does
two things against reason: he does not cleanse the heretics, and he befouls
the Christians.

Aurelius of Utica[16] said: Since the apostle says that we are not to
communicate with other people's sins, what else does he do but communicate
with other people's sins, who holds communion with heretics without the
Church's baptism? And therefore I judge that heretics must be baptized,
that they may receive forgiveness of their sins; and thus communion may
be had with them.

Iambus of Germaniciana[1] said: They who approve of the baptism of heretics,
disapprove of ours, in denying that they who are, I will not say washed,
but befouled, outside the Church, ought to be baptized in the Church.

Lucianus
of Rucuma[2] said: It is written, "And God saw the light,
that it was good, and divided between the light and the darkness."[3]
If there can be agreement between light and darkness, there may be something
in common between us and heretics. Therefore I determine that heretics
must be baptized.

Pelagianus
of Luperciana[4] said: It is written, "Either the Lord
is God, or Baal is God."[5] Therefore in the present case also, either
the Church is the Church, or heresy is the Church. On the other hand, if
heresy is not the Church, how can the Church's baptism be among heretics?

Jader of Midila[6] said: We know that there is but one baptism in the
Catholic Church, and therefore we ought not to receive a heretic unless
he has been baptized among us; lest he should think that he has been baptized
out of the Catholic Church.

Also another Felix of Marazana[7] said: There is one faith, one baptism,
but of the Catholic Church, which alone has the right to baptize.

Paulus
of Obba[8] said: It does not disturb me if any man does not assert the
faith and
truth of
the Church, since the apostle says, "For what
if some of them have fallen away from the faith? Has their unbelief made
the faith of God of no effect? By no means. For God is true, but every
man a liar."[9] But if God is true, how can the truth of baptism be
among the heretics, among whom God is not?

Pomponius of Dionysiana[7] said: It is evident that heretics cannot baptize
and give remission of sins, seeing that they have not power to be able
to loose or to bind anything on earth.

Venantius of Timisa[2] said: If a husband, going into foreign parts, had
commended his wife to the guardianship of his friend, that friend would
take care of her who was commended to him with all possible diligence,
that her chastity and holiness should not be corrupted by any one. Christ
the Lord and our God, going to His Father, has commended to us His bride.
Shall we guard her incorrupt and inviolate, or shall we betray her integrity
and chastity to adulterers and corrupters? For he who makes the Church's
baptism common to heretics, betrays the spouse of Christ to adulterers.

Ahymnus of Ausvaga[10] said: We have received one baptism, and that same
we maintain and practise. But he who says that heretics also may lawfully
baptize, makes two baptisms.

Saturninus of Victoriana[7] said: If heretics may baptize, they who do
unlawful things are excused and defended; nor do I see why either Christ
should have called them adversaries, or the apostle should have called
them Antichrists.

Saturninus[11] of Thucca[6] said: The Gentiles, although they worship
idols, do yet know and confess a supreme God[12] as Father and Creator.
Against Him Marcion blasphemes, and some persons do not blush to approve
the baptism of Marcion. How do such priests either observe or vindicate
God's priesthood, who do not baptize God's enemies, and hold communion
with them as they are!

Marcellus of Zama[13] said: Since sins are not remitted[14] save in the
baptism of the Church, he who does not baptize a heretic holds communion
with a sinner.

Irenaeus of Ululi[15] said: If the Church does not baptize a heretic,
for the reason that he is said to be already baptized, it is the greater
heresy.

Donatus of Cibaliana[16] said: I know one Church and her one baptism.
If there is any who says that the grace of baptism is with heretics, he
must first show and prove that the Church is among them.

Zosimus of Tharassa[6] said: When a revelation of the truth is made, let
error give place to truth; because Peter also, who previously circumcised,
yielded to Paul when he preached the truth.[17]

Julianus
of Telepte[18] said: It is written, "No man can receive
anything unless it have been given him from heaven."[19] If heresy
is from heaven, it can also give baptism.

Faustus of Timida Regia[20] said: Let not them who are in favour of heretics
flatter themselves. He who interferes with the baptism of the Church on
behalf of heretics, makes them Christians, and us heretics.

Geminius of Furni[1] said: Some of our colleagues may prefer heretics
to themselves, they cannot to us: and therefore what we have once determined
we maintain--that we baptize those who come to us from the heretics.

Rogatianus of Nova[2] said: Christ instituted the Church; the devil, heresy.
How can the synagogue of Satan have the baptism of Christ?

Therapius of Bulla[3] said: He who concedes and betrays the Church's baptism
to heretics, what else has he been to the spouse of Christ than a Judas?

Also
another Lucius of Membresa[4] said: It is written, "God heareth
not a sinner."[5] How can a heretic who is a sinner be heard in baptism?

Also another Felix of Bussacene[6] said: In the matter of receiving heretics
without the baptism of the Church, let no one prefer custom to reason and
truth, because reason and truth always exclude custom.[7]

Another Saturninus of Avitini[8] said: If Antichrist can give to any one
the grace of Christ, heretics also are able to baptize, for they are called
antichrists.

Quintus of Aggya:[9] He can give something who has something. But what
can heretics give, who, it is plain, have nothing?

Another Julianus of Marcelliana[10] said: If a man can serve two masters,
God and mammon, baptism also can serve two masters, the Christian and the
heretic.

Tenax of Horrea Caeliae[11] said: Baptism is one, but it is the Church's.
Where the Church is not there, there can be no baptism.

Another
Victor of Assuri[1] said: It is written, that "God is one,
and Christ is one, and the Church is one, and baptism is one."[12]
How, therefore, can any one be baptized there, where God, and Christ, and
the one Church is not?

Donatulus of Capse[13] said: And I also have always thought this, that
heretics, who can obtain nothing without the Church, when they are converted
to the Church, must be baptized. Verulus[14] of Rusiccada[15] said: A man
who is a heretic cannot give what he has not; much more a schismatic, who
has lost what he once had.

Pudentianus of Cuiculis[15] said: The novelty of my episcopal office,[16]
beloved brethren, has caused me to await what my elders should judge. For
it is manifest that heresies have nothing, nor can have any thing. And
thus, if any one comes from them, it is most justly decreed that they must
be baptized.

Peter of Hippo Diarrhytus[17] said: Since there is one baptism in the
Catholic Church, it is manifest that one cannot be baptized outside the
Church. And therefore I judge that those who have been dipped in heresy
or in schism, when they come to the Church, should be baptized.

Also another Lucius of Ausafa[18] said: According to the direction of
my mind, and of the Holy Spirit, as there is one God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and one Christ, and one hope, and one Spirit, and one
Church, there ought also to be one baptism. And therefore I say, that if
any thing had been set on foot or accomplished by heretics, it ought to
be rescinded, and that those who come thence must be baptized in the Church.

Also another Felix of Gurgites[13] said: I judge that, according to the
precepts of the holy Scriptures, he who is unlawfully baptized by heretics
outside the Church, when he wishes to take refuge in the Church, should
obtain the grace of baptism where it is lawfully given.

Pusillus of Lamasba[19] said: I believe that there is no saving baptism
except in the Catholic Church. Whatsoever is apart from the Catholic Church
is a pretence.

Salvianus of Gazaufala[20] said: It is certain that heretics have nothing,
and therefore they come to us that they may receive what they have not.

Honoratus of Thucca[21] said: Since Christ is the Truth, we ought rather
to follow truth than custom; so that we should sanctify heretics with the
Church's baptism, seeing that they come to us for the reason that they
could receive nothing without.

Victor of Octavum[22] said: As yourselves also know, I have not long been
appointed a bishop, and I therefore waited for the decision[16] of my predecessors.
I therefore think this, that as many as come from heresy should undoubtedly
be baptized.

Clarus of Mascula[1] said: The sentence of our Lord Jesus Christ is plain,
when He sent His apostles, and accorded to them alone the power given to
Him by His Father; and to them we have succeeded, governing the Lord's
Church with the same power,[2] and baptizing the faith of believers. And
therefore heretics, who neither have power without, nor have the Church
of Christ, are able to baptize no one with His baptism.

Secundianus of Thambei[3] said: We ought not to deceive heretics by our
presumption; so that they who have not been baptized in the Church of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and have not obtained by this means remissions of their
sins, when the day of judgment shall come, should impute to us that through
us they were not baptized, and did not obtain the indulgence of divine
grace. On which account, since there is one Church and one baptism, when
they are converted to us they should obtain, together with the Church,
the Church's baptism also.

Also
another Aurelius of Chullabi[4] said: John the apostle laid it down in
his epistle, saying: "If any one come unto you, and have not the
doctrine of Christ, receive him not into your house, and say not to him,
Hail. For he that saith to him, Hail, partakes with his evil deeds."[5]
How can such be rashly admitted into God's house, who are prohibited from
being admitted into our private dwelling? Or how can we hold communion
with them without the Church's baptism, to whom, if we should only say
Hail, we are partakers of their evil deeds?

Litteus[6] of Gemelli[7] said: If the blind lead the blind, both fall
into the ditch, Since, then, it is manifest that heretics cannot give light
to any, as being themselves blind, their baptism does not avail.

Natalis of Oea[8] said: As well I who am present, as Pompey[9] of Sabrata,[8]
as also Dioga of Leptis Magna[10]--who, absent indeed in body, but present
in spirit, have given me charge--judge the same as our colleagues, that
heretics cannot hold communion with us, unless they shall be baptized with
ecclesiastical baptism.

Junius of Neapolis[8] said: From the judgment which we once determined
on I do not recede, that we should baptize heretics who come to the Church.

Cyprian of Carthage said: The letter which was written to our colleague
Jubaianus very fully expresses my opinion, that, according to evangelical
and apostolic testimony, heretics, who are called adversaries of Christ
and Antichrists, when they come to the Church, must be baptized with the
one baptism of the Church, that they may be made of adversaries, friends,
and of Antichrists, Christians.[11]